The sun had set, and night had fallen.
In Syrup Village's sole grand mansion, lights gradually dimmed as bedtime approached.
Kaya sat on her bed, gazing out the window.
He always came there, sharing grand adventure tales—obvious lies to cheer her up. They'd become indispensable, their truth irrelevant, always fun. But tonight, he was different.
Never late for their meetings, yet today he was. And his claim—Klaha was a pirate—stunned her.
He'd never told hurtful lies before, but this was different.
Unbelievable, yet his odd behavior lingered in her mind. She couldn't stop wondering what happened. Since noon, it consumed her thoughts.
"Klaha… I want to see Usopp."
"No, milady. It's bad for your health. It's already night."
The butler, Klaha, stood by her side, as kind and strict as ever.
He'd always supported her.
A pirate? Unthinkable. But if Usopp lied without reason, that didn't fit either. She circled the thought, finding no answer.
Noticing her heavy sigh, Klaha prepared the bed but didn't ask.
"Usopp was acting strange today."
"You met him again? I told you it's not good."
"It's fine. He's not doing anything bad."
"But I heard odd rumors. A commotion in the village, caused by Usopp's lies."
"…Yeah."
Kaya looked down, deeply dejected.
Klaha sighed.
Normally, he'd say nothing, but tonight he was unusually mature.
"Fine. Shall we visit him tomorrow?"
"Really?"
"But end the talk before it strains you. No long conversations."
"Okay, that's enough. I just have questions."
A faint smile returned to Kaya's face, filled with anticipation.
Klaha gave a wry smile.
"Rest now. No staying up late."
"I know. Wake me early tomorrow."
"I'll tell the maids."
He tucked Kaya into bed and turned off the light.
"Goodnight, Klaha."
"Goodnight, milady."
Klaha left, walking down the hall.
In the butler's lounge, Merry turned with a smile.
He'd heard the day's events.
A hectic day, he said.
"Is milady asleep?"
"Yes, no issues."
"Good… Why did Usopp say that? Did we overlook something?"
"About me being a pirate?"
Adjusting his glasses, Klaha smiled.
Merry, incredulous, figured Usopp's youth let emotions slip, but trusted none of it.
"Haha, what a bold lie. It's troubling milady, though."
"No surprise. She cares for him."
"Rare for you to praise Usopp."
"Well… I hate to admit it, but he's oddly sincere. Maybe I am a pirate."
"Hahaha, no way. You, joking? That's rare."
Merry laughed, dismissing the idea of pirates attacking a non-port village.
Klaha adjusted his glasses, smiling wryly.
As the laughter faded, he changed the subject.
"I'll rest now. I have errands tomorrow."
"Your day off? Rare. First time you've requested it, right?"
"With milady's birthday nearing, I'm planning something."
"Hah, she'll be thrilled. She trusts you."
"Too kind."
Bowing slightly, Klaha grabbed his belongings and left.
"Goodnight."
"Good work."
The door closed with a soft thud, plunging the hall into silence.
Klaha exhaled and walked, his gaze shifting subtly, unnoticed.
On the coast, the Straw Hats and Usopp faced each other under moonlight.
Seated on rocks in a circle, Usopp's bandaged arm hinted at the crisis. All wore serious expressions. Usopp spoke earnestly.
"No one believes me. If pirates come tomorrow, they'll be done before escaping. They won't listen. I have to stop them."
"But are they really coming? Just because you saw a secret meeting doesn't mean it's true," Nami said.
"They're coming. No doubt."
Usopp's resolve didn't waver. Nami, unsure why he was so certain, glanced at Kiri, who shook his head.
He knew little of East Blue pirates. He'd seen high-bounty wanted posters but had no info on Captain Kuro, presumed dead.
Silk spoke up instead.
Having lived in East Blue, she knew rumors.
"I agree. Captain Kuro's a cunning pirate, always planning meticulously. Three years as a butler? He's definitely acting."
"Three years as a butler for an inheritance? That's foolish," Nami said.
"Doesn't matter. He'll do it. Kuro's said to have taken down a Marine warship single-handedly. He's strong."
"No big deal. Kiri wrecked a warship alone," Luffy boasted.
"Yay," Kiri added with a peace sign.
Usopp's expression didn't soften, their attempt to ease tension failing.
They quieted, and Usopp continued.
"If they come, the village is done. There's no other way. I'll face them here, drive them off, and make this a lie. That's my path as a liar."
His clenched fists and knees trembled with fear, but his eyes held unwavering resolve.
His determination struck them.
Their expressions hardened.
If he wouldn't back down, they couldn't leave him. Stopping a pirate crew alone was impossible, unless you were the world's greatest swordsman, like Zoro aimed to be.
Their wills aligned.
Usopp, hesitantly, looked at Luffy.
"You invited me to join, right?"
"Yeah."
"I know I'm useless alone. It's pathetic, but if I join, will you help?"
"Idiot. We were gonna help from the start."
"We won't let you fight alone. Let us protect the village too," Silk added.
Their instant, confident smiles overwhelmed Usopp.
He gave a tearful grin, looking down.
"You guys… thanks!"
"You're our comrade now. But no time to celebrate," Kiri said, picking up a stick.
Luffy eyed the stick eagerly, but Kiri ignored him, clearing gravel to expose the ground and addressing Usopp.
A new ally strengthened them, but the odds were still steep.
Rushing in without a plan wouldn't save the village.
Smiling, Kiri scanned the crew.
"Strategy meeting. They're pirates—chasing them off might not be enough. We need to crush them thoroughly."
"Can we?"
"Of course. With Usopp, we're six. With prep, it's more than enough."
He tossed the stick to Usopp, who caught it clumsily.
"How many routes from the coast to the village?"
"Two. Here and where you landed."
"Which is closer to the village?"
"The other one. This route goes through the forest. The other's a straight path."
"Then they'll come from there. No doubt."
Usopp scratched the ground, sketching the terrain. Kiri's confident claim drew skeptical looks—not just from Usopp but Luffy, Silk, and Nami, who listened intently.
Usopp asked.
"Why're you so sure? They were plotting around here."
"It's closer. That's why."
"That's it?"
"Assume pirates are idiots. Even if they know they're exposed, this village has no militia or Marine base. They'll think they can overpower any ambush. Plus, Captain Kuro, being here, likely told them no real threats exist."
"Makes sense. They'll charge in with force."
"Villagers versus pirates? Obvious outcome. That terrain looks usable. If they just charge, we won't struggle much."
Kiri's confident words inspired trust.
Luffy and Silk found him reliable, and Usopp grew motivated.
"Need anything for prep? I'll gather what I can."
"Let's see…"
As Kiri and Usopp planned, Zoro, frowning, whispered to Silk.
"Why's he so excited? Is it safe to leave him?"
"Yeah, he's more hyped than usual."
"Since that sea battle, he was quiet. No telling what he'll do."
"What? Something happen?" Nami joined, leaning in.
Luffy turned, listening.
"No big deal. Just bugs me."
"He didn't seem down to me."
"Kiri, down? Didn't look like it," Luffy said.
"You're overthinking. Sure, we nearly died, but he's acting normal," Nami said.
"Maybe."
Just worry, or was Kiri hiding something?
Smiling through the strategy talk, Kiri seemed fine to the others.
Zoro, uneasy, didn't elaborate but couldn't shake that night's vow. This was their first fight since.
Soon, Kiri and Usopp finished.
They faced the crew.
"Plan's set. Let's move and prep."
"Alright, let's go!"
"We need supplies first. Usopp'll handle it."
They stood, splitting into two groups.
"Me, Luffy, and Usopp will get them. You three head to the north coast."
"Attack's tomorrow morning, right? Going now?"
"No roof, I'm afraid. Blankets too?"
Nami sighed; Kiri smiled wryly. The three turned and walked.
First, Usopp's house—a lone shack on a hill, hidden from villagers to avoid trouble.
They'd grab supplies and return, camping on the north coast.
Still close, they exchanged words.
"Here we go—pirate repulsion strategy!"
"Shishishi, getting fun!"
"Right, I can do this… I'm gonna be a pirate!"
Each wore a different expression, but their resolve to fight pirates was the same.
Zoro's group felt faint unease but couldn't help smiling wryly.
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